Lutherans have long supported ministries that assist people who have been forced to flee their homes or homelands due to disaster, violence, hunger and more. Lutherans in Pennsylvania have a long history of refugee resettlement, including current efforts to welcome refugees from Syria in the Lehigh Valley.
Governor Tom Wolf has declared his intention to continue to accept Syrian refugees. LAMPa is tracking movement of Senate Resoluation 248, legislation that advocates for the suspension of Syrian refugee resettlement.
Here are resources about how the US screens and settles refugees and tools for congregations who want to pray for, support and minister to uprooted peoples.
Syrian Refugee Admissions and Resettlement in the United States: In Brief, Congressional Research Service, November 19, 2015
Infographic on the US Screening Process for Refugees
Syrian Refugee Talking Points from Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services
Refugee Sunday Worship Tools
Lutherans and Refugees from the ELCA World Hunger blog
Congregations as Communities of Moral Deliberation (from the Journal for Lutheran Ethics and the ELCA Moral Discernment guide).
ELCA_statement_on_US_response_to_refugee_resettlement from Bishop Elizabeth Eaton
PA Can Relocate Refugees Safely – A letter to the editor by Bishop Claire Burkat
How you can support Syrian resettlement through LCFS
New article on Syrian refugee resettlement ministry featuring Lutheran Children and Family Service
ELCA Advocacy Alert “Support and Protect Syrian Refugees”
